QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (103)

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   There are some questions out there that we should ask ourselves but we never do.

1.    What do you dislike but have no good reason for disliking?

2.    What is something about life that people do not appreciate as much as they should?

3.    What is the best “less is more” example you can come up with?

4.    What are you doing now that could be detrimental to your health later?

5.    What false belief do you hold knowing it is false?

 

B.   Introspection is never fun, but it often helps us to develop and grow as a person.

 

C.   God’s Word is all about introspection.

1.    James tells us that God’s Word is a mirror (Jam. 1:23-24).

 

For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:  for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

 

2.    This is one of the values of our Q&A lessons each month. 

a.    The question we ask or another asks might cause us to look into the mirror of God’s Word and examine our Christian life.

b.    Just a better understanding of God’s Word enables us to grow in our faith and maturity in Christ.

 

I.             QUESTION #1:  A Replacement Apostle for Judas but not for James

 

A.   Stated:  Why was a replacement apostle for Judas appointed (Matthias), but no replacement was made for the apostle James after he was killed by Herod (Acts 12:2)?

 

B.   Answer:

1.    There are thirteen (13) slots open in the church for apostles.

a.    Twelve men, one of which was Judas, were originally chosen by Jesus to be apostles during His earthly ministry (Matt. 10:2-4).

b.    Paul was appointed to be an apostle after Jesus had ascended to heaven.  Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus so he could be a witness of the resurrection.  Paul refers to himself “as of one born out of due time” (1 Cor. 15:8).

2.    The position of an apostle is a position that is “forever” in nature.

a.    Death does not cause the individual to cease from being an apostle.

1)    Death causes a person to cease to exist on earth.

2)    Death, however, does not cause a person to cease to exist.

3)    Thus, when James was killed by Herod, he continued in the position of an apostle of Christ.

4)    Matthew 19:28

 

Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

 

a)    “In the regeneration,” is the Christian age when regeneration is possible.

b)    Jesus would sit upon His throne.

c)    He promised the twelve that they would sit upon their thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

b.    Judas “fell” from his apostleship.

1)    The actions of Judas.

a)    The betrayal of Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.

b)    Sorrow and an admission of wrongdoing when he saw Jesus was going to be condemned.

c)    Suicide by hanging.

d)    NOTE:  There is no true repentance found in the heart of Judas.  Had Judas repented and asked for forgiveness, he could have remained as an apostle.

2)    Peter explains these things prior to the selection of Matthias.

a)    Judas’ actions (Acts 1:17-18)

 

For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.  Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity, and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.

 

b)    Judas fell from his apostleship (Acts 1:25).

 

That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.

 

II.           QUESTION #2:  Galatians 4:19

 

A.   Stated:  Can you explain what Paul meant in Galatians 4:19 when He wrote:  “…of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you.”

 

B.   Answer:

1.    Galatians 4:19

 

My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you.”

 

2.    Paul and Barnabas had established the churches of Galatia on their first missionary journey (Acts 13-14).

3.    When they left these churches, they were faithful and steadfast in their beliefs and service to Jesus Christ.

4.    Soon false teachers entered into these churches and began to adversely affect them.

a.    These men were Judaizing teachers. 

1)    They were attempting to bind parts of the law of Moses on these Gentile converts.

2)    Three verses:

a)    Galatians 1:6

 

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel.

 

b)    Galatians 3:1

 

O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth…

 

c)    Galatians 5:7

 

Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?

 

5.    The rejection of the truth by the Galatians hurt Paul tremendously. 

a.    He marveled at their departure (Gal. 1:6)

b.    He was afraid of them (Gal. 4:11).

c.    He felt like he had become their enemy (Gal. 4:16).

6.    In Galatians 4:19, Paul expresses the pain that he would experience “until Christ be formed in you.”

a.    The pain was like unto a woman in labor, that is, travailing in birth.

1)    A woman’s contractions are severe.

2)    Some say that this is the worst pain that a person can experience.

b.    Paul would continue to have this pain unto Christ was formed in these Christians once again.

1)    Having submitted to the gospel, these individuals had put on Christ (Gal. 3:26-27).

2)    In order to mold oneself into the image of Christ, the Christian must learn and obey God’s will.

a)    “…and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5).

b)    “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5).

3)    False teaching does not mold one into the image of Christ. 

a)    It does just the opposite. 

b)    It leads the mind and the individual away from Jesus Christ (Gal. 5:4).

 

Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

 

c)    It is for this reason that those who teach “another gospel” are accursed (Gal. 1:8-9).

4)    When this happens, a person must have Christ formed in them again.

a)    He must repent of his sinful beliefs and practices (Rev. 2:21-22).

b)    He must faithfully adhere to the truth of the gospel of Christ (Rev. 2:10).

 

III.         QUESTION #3:  Forgiveness and The Judgment

 

A.   Stated:  If we give our lives to Christ and live a new life through him, and all our sins are forgiven, why do we have to get judged for our whole life?

 

B.   Answer:

1.    All humans will be judged (2 Cor. 5:10).

 

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ…

 

2.    What will be judged?

a.    Secret thoughts (Eccl. 12:14)

b.    Idle words (Matt. 12:36)

c.    The good and the bad done in our body (2 Cor. 5:10)

3.    The blood of Jesus Christ washes away all of the sins, transgressions, and iniquities of our lives.

a.    Revelation 1:5

…Unto him that love us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.

 

b.    This blood is a powerful cleansing agent.  The New Covenant promise is that our sins will be remembered no more (Heb. 8:12).

 

For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

 

4.    As the Lord examines our lives as faithful Christians, the only thing He will see is good (Col. 1:21-23a).

 

And you, that were sometimes alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:  if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard…

 

5.    That day, God will pronounce us justified in His sight.

a.    Romans 3:24

 

Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

 

b.    Romans 5:9

 

Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

 

c.    Titus 3:7

 

That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   We have looked at three questions:

1.    A question that involved clarification regarding replacement apostles.

2.    A question that involved concern because of the departure of faithful brethren.

3.    A question that involved comfort because we will stand in the judgment justified.

 

B.   Questions:

1.    Have you put on Christ?

2.    If you have put on Christ, is He truly being formed in you?